Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando, left, officially endorsed PG County Executive Angela Alsobrooks for the U.S. Senate, along with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and U.S. Representative Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.) (Photos by Stephen Hopkins/AFRO)

By Tashi McQueen,
AFRO Political Writer,
tmcqueen@afro.com

Hundreds of Angela Alsobrooks supporters gathered for a lively rally at the Monument City Brewing Company in Baltimore on Oct. 23.

At the rally, Gov. Wes Moore, Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller and former U.S. Senate candidate Will Jawando announced their endorsement of Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks’ (D) run for U.S. Senate.

“I’m supporting Angela because of what she would mean to our state’s future,” said Moore. “At a time when we’re just weeks away from facing another government shutdown, which is going to hurt thousands of Marylanders. In this moment we need to rally behind a person with vision and intention. That’s why today I am proud to announce my endorsement.”

Since U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) announced his retirement on May 1, numerous candidates have stepped forward and are busy raising support, including Jawando who has now dropped out of the race. 

“I know she [Alsobrooks] wants to expand opportunity for Maryland and I’m confident that she will do that as a leader in our state,” said Jawando. “We will continue to work together on these issues during the course of the campaign.”

  • Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando, left, officially endorsed PG County Executive Angela Alsobrooks for the U.S. Senate, along with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and U.S. Representative Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.) (Photos by Stephen Hopkins/AFRO)
  • Prince George’s County Council Chairman Calvin Hawkins, left, shows his support for Alsobrooks along with former chair of the Maryland Democratic Party Yvette Lewis, former Montgomery County executive Ike Leggett and University of Maryland law professor Larry Gibson. (Photos by Stephen Hopkins/AFRO)
  • Howard County Executive Calvin Ball throws his support behind Angela Alsobrooks. (Photos by Stephen Hopkins/AFRO)
  • On Oct. 23, Alsobrooks held a campaign event in Baltimore, bringing out Maryland leaders such as the first Black woman to lead the Maryland House of Representatives, Rep. Adrienne Jones (D-Baltimore County). (Photos by Stephen Hopkins/AFRO)
  • Baltimore County Executive John Olszewski Jr. endorses Angela Alsobrooks for the U.S. Senate. (Photos by Stephen Hopkins/AFRO)

Some of Alsobrooks’ challengers include U.S. Rep. David Trone (D-Md.) and Republicans Ray Bly, a small business owner, and Robin Ficker, a former state legislator.

Trone is one of Alsobrooks’ top contenders for the Senate race. They will likely go head to head for the primaries on May 14, 2024. Trone also has garnered much support with 111 endorsements from Congress members and local leaders.

“I’m so proud of the support I’ve received from more than 100 elected officials and leaders all across the state of Maryland, like Senator Chris Van Hollen; Congressmen Hoyer, Mfume and Ivey; Senate President Bill Ferguson and Speaker Adrienne Jones,” Alsobrooks told the AFRO. “These are individuals who I’ve worked with, who know my character and who believe in our people’s first message. I look forward to leveraging the force of all our endorsements into support for our strong grassroots campaign.”

“We will continue to press our way across the state to meet voters where they are and share our message,” continued Alsobrooks. “As Senator, I will work to ensure that all Marylanders have what I want for my own family – safe communities, access to a quality education, jobs and economic opportunities.”

U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., State’s Attorney Ivan Bates and the Congressional Black Caucus PAC have also endorsed Alsobrooks.